The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-16
ROBERT BONNER.
His Appearances, His Office, His Paper, His
House, His Stables.

His Appearances, His Office, His Paper, His
House, His Stables.
Not long ago saw man crossing the street
railway tracks the Franklin statute with
the gait of an old farmer. He wore old fash
toned broadcloth, with low-cut waistcoat and a
turn-do collar with black tie HIS overcoat
pocket was stuffed with newspapers and maya
zines. heavy bundle nestled under his arm
Thick arctic shoes covered his feet for the
weather was wintry. His hair and hat remind
ed me of the late John A. Logan. Like Logan,
he wore his hat on the back of his head. The
man was well knit and his head set quite close
to his shoulders He had high forehead, with
fully developed perceptive faculties. The eyes
were hazel and pleasant in expression. the nose
was clear and we'll cut, and the face quite broad
and placid. He loped along as though lost in
thought There was nothing about him that
would attract special attention. A Jerseymau
might have taken him for some preacher i'll the
Dutch Reformed Church on his way back to
Aquackenonck. He was the man, however, who
developed gold mine by the use of printers
ink, q quarter of a century ago, quicker
than any man in America since that time. That
mine has never "petered out" 1t is as good to-
day when first discovered. He was Robert
Bonner.
When boy set type in his Office He was
even then deliberate of motion and as
Elective in mind as he is to-day. Mr.. Bonner's
advertising method was not a cloud burst,
which attracted momentary attention 1t was
a steady stream of water pouring from a clear
the stream excited universal interest People
wanted to know where it came from and what
made it. They bought his family newspaper to
ascertain, its source and Mr. Bonner quickly
became rich. Keen men. who initiated but
never equalled his quaint advertising, also
waxed wealthy. Others who got in later tainted
by the wayside, for the novelty of the advertis
ing display was soon gone.
Mr.. Bonner spends from four to i've hours
day in his sanctum- It is an odd little room.
Everything seems to be in confusion. The chairs
are filled with piles of old newspapers and books
and magazines are scattered in every corner.
Engravirgs and photographs recalling the tri-
umphs and friendships of past years hang on the
walls. Bones, models of hoofs, horseshoes and
other oddities suggestive of love of equine
speed are in the room. The editorial desk is
litter OF letters and newspaper clippings Horace
Greeley's Tribune table was never in a worse
condition. Nobody but Mr.. Bonner himself,
however, touches anything in the room. If he
wants any special article. he fishes among the
litter at given spot until he finds it. A good
sized safe squats at one end OF the room. It
is filled with curiosties that have a value
peculiarly delightful to Mr.. Bonner alone For
instance. it contains the gold watch that marke
Dexter's first wonderful time. The independent
second hand remains on the fraction of second
as the catch was sprung. and has never been
thrown back to the hour since the horse dashed
| under the string. Near this watch rests a second
chronometer marking the time of Pocahontas,
and third recalling the unrivaled achievement
of the peerless Maud S. How many other sou
venirs OF the glorious past the safe hides from
public view Mr.. Bonner alone can tell Mr..
Bonner is not only keen literary critic. but he
is accurate judge of men. His
knowledge OF human nature seems
ntuitive. His judgment is quick and decisive.
| He knows what he wants and he pays handsome
| ~ for it. No man can coax him TO buy what he
| does not want. He trimmed his sails and laid
| his newspaper course thirty years ago. and he
has pursued it since then without jibing or max
| ing a tack. His columns are never at the serv-
| Ice Of his friends He refuses to grind even the
most inflnitessimal of axes. To all such appeals
| he is adamant He frequently steels himself
| against his own sympathes in nerving himself
| to refuse such requests. Between 3 and p. NJ,
Mr.. Bonner upsets his waste-paper basket, pulls
on his overshoes. descends the stairs and trudges
| elevated station and rides to Fortv-eight street.
He lives on this street. within two
| hundred feet of Fifth avenue. The
| house is a plain, brown-stone front, four
stories high, and without extra trimmings. It is
substantially. but not eaudily finished. Book
cases are not only filled. but volumes are piled
| upon the parlor tables without regard to effect
Bonner is a plain, matter of fact home man. He
has no box at the opera. and l never saw him al
a theater He gives no social entertainments
and I don't think he ever attends any. I'M
| less. possibly. DR.. John Halls little donation
| parties.
His stables are back OF the house the main
| entrance being on Fifty seventh street He car
| step from his house into his stables. however
| and he passes much of his time with his horses
while at home. Unlike his sanctum and hi
| house. the stables Elarvels of taste and neat
ness He loves his friends az we'll as he loves
his horses, and his kindness to both horses ani
| friends is proverbal
|